How to Become a Minister

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5 Steps to Becoming a Minister

Step 1 Earn a bachelor’s degree

Ministers are required to have a deep understanding of Biblical doctrine, the role of the church, and the philosophy and history of religion. In order to get this education, pastors are required to earn a bachelor’s degree in religious studies, religious education, or theology. While in these programs, students take courses in the mystery of God, world religions, religious ethics, marriage and the church, and the Old and New Testaments.

Step 2 Complete a master’s degree

Generally, churches expect ministers to hold a master’s degree in divinity in order to get employment. These programs are designed to teach students about the rigors of being a church leader and how to handle the responsibility to their congregation and community. Coursework covers writing and delivering sermons, transformational leadership, theological aesthetics, conducting worship services, and political theology.

Step 3 Become ordained

In order to have religious authority in a church, aspiring ministers must undergo the ordination process. Standards for becoming ordained depend on the specific religious denomination. Some churches may require written or oral examinations, while others expect ministers to volunteer at the church for a certain amount of time.

Step 4 Get certified.

Earning a certification can improve your skills and make you a more marketable candidate. Potential certifications include certified applications professional, Cloudera certified professional: data scientist, EMC: data science associate and SAS certified predictive modeler using SAS Enterprise Miner 7.

Step 5 Obtain a license

Some states require ministers to obtain a license in order to work for a church. Licensing requirements vary from state to state, so future ministers should find out what is expected of them.

FAQ on Earning Your Minister Degree

  • 1. Should ministers choose a denomination?

    Yes. There are many types of religious denominations, so those that don’t have a preference should learn about them and determine which one they connect with most. This can be done by taking courses during college, as well as volunteering for different kinds of churches.

  • 2. Are ministers required to complete continuing education credits?

    It depends on the denomination they are a part of. Some ministry boards require pastors to complete continuing education courses through their church or a professional religious organization.

  • 3. Should ministers use social media?

    Ministers are required to connect with their community, and one way they can do this is by maintaining social media pages. This allows them to communicate with parishioners about what’s going on in the church, as well as speak to other pastors and the community at large.

Minister Salary & Job Growth

Ministry is a calling, but those who are thinking about training for this career must still consider their chances of getting a job. This section discusses the job prospects for ministers, as well as their earning potential.

PayScale details the salaries of ministers and reports that the median annual salary they command is $50,080. In addition, the site includes the following breakdown of how much these professionals earn at different stages of their career.

  • Entry-level ministers (0-5 years of experience) earn $38,000 per year
  • Mid-career ministers (5-10 years of experience) earn $49,000 per year
  • Experienced ministers (10-20 years of experience) earn $52,000 per year
  • Late-career ministers (20+ years of experience) earn $58,000 per year
Alabama Mean wage annual: $47,140
Currently Employed: 440
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 7%
Alaska Mean wage annual: $56,540
Currently Employed: 130
Change in Employment (2016-2026): N/A
Arizona Mean wage annual: $49,380
Currently Employed: 730
Change in Employment (2016-2026): N/A
Arkansas Mean wage annual: $45,330
Currently Employed: 380
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 9%
California Mean wage annual: $60,070
Currently Employed: 5,080
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 9%
Colorado Mean wage annual: $55,270
Currently Employed: 520
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 34%
Connecticut Mean wage annual: $54,650
Currently Employed: 450
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 7%
Delaware Mean wage annual: $53,930
Currently Employed: 60
Change in Employment (2016-2026): N/A
Florida Mean wage annual: $47,060
Currently Employed: 2,240
Change in Employment (2016-2026): 14%
Georgia Mean wage annual: $52,330
Currently Employed: 720
Change in Employment (2016-2026): N/A
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According to O*NET OnLine, there will be a five to nine percent growth of jobs for ministers between 2016 and 2026, which amounts to 29,200 positions created during this time. The exact number of available minister jobs will be tied to the economy, however, as denominations are unlikely to build new churches during lean economic times.

Finding a Minister Program

Ministers have a huge responsibility to their communities, so they should get the best training available to prepare them for it. This section provides information to help those interested in training for ministry find the school that’s right for them.

Students who enter degree programs have several concerns that guide their decision. Those in search of a degree want to know how much their tuition will cost. Other concerns may include how long it takes to complete a program, whether or not they can earn a certification during their time in the program, and how courses are delivered. Use the following tool to search schools by these criteria and find the program that meets your needs.

State
Degree Level
School Type
Environment

Professional Minister Associations & Groups

Being in ministry is all about community, so joining professional associations can help pastors stay connected with each other and learn skills that will make them more effective in their home churches. The following are examples of some of the organizations ministers can become a part of.

Resources for Ministers

In order to be effective in ministry, professionals should always work on sharpening their skills and knowledge. The following resources can help.

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